---
title: Re-establishing the QuickBooks Desktop connection
description: If you need to reauthorize your integrated application to allow Acctivate to log in automatically or you need to update your permissions or settings, you can do so in QuickBooks under Preferences.
---

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May 21, 2025

# Re-establishing the QuickBooks Desktop connection

## If you need to reauthorize your integrated application to allow Acctivate to log in automatically or you need to update your permissions or settings, you can do so in QuickBooks under Preferences.

The following error may occur when attempting to Synchronize with QuickBooks if QuickBooks is not running:

> Error while connecting to QuickBooks: Recent changes to your configuration require you (the QuickBooks Administrator) to go into the Integrated Applications preferences and re-authorize your integrated application to login automatically.

You may also receive a similar error if any of the permissions or settings for selected synchronization user have changed in any way:

> Error while connecting to QuickBooks.  
> Could not start QuickBooks.

If you received the second error above and have trouble with the below instructions, you can also reset the link between QuickBooks and Acctivate.

To resolve these issues you will need to reset the log in option in QuickBooks Preferences:

1. Log in to **QuickBooks** as **Admin**
2. Switch to **Single-User mode** from the File menu
3. Open **Preferences** from the Edit menu
4. Select **Integrated Applications** in the list on the left
5. Select the **Company Preferences** tab
6. Select **Acctivate** in the list and click **Properties**
7. **Remove** **Acctivate** from the **Application Name** list.(Remove all instances of **ACCTivate!**)   
   ![RemoveIntegratedApp](https://hub.acctivate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RemoveIntegratedApp.png?width=655&name=RemoveIntegratedApp.png)
8. Close the **Preferences** menu in QuickBooks, but keep QuickBooks open
9. Go back to **Acctivate** and run a **Synchronization with QuickBooks**
10. You will now be prompted by QuickBooks to allow access
11. There are 3 options to choose from in this prompt: 
      - **Yes, prompt each time**  
        This will force QuickBooks to prompt for a login each time a synchronization is processed.
      - **Yes, whenever this QuickBooks company file is open**  
        This will allow QuickBooks to synchronize transactions based on the permission level of the user who is logged in while the synchronization process is running. Acctivate will not be able to synchronize with QuickBooks closed.
      - **Yes, always; allow access even if QuickBooks is not running (Recommended)**  
        This option allows Acctivate to synchronize with QuickBooks even if it is not open. Acctivate will use the level of permissions assigned to the user selected below this prompt.
12. After choosing the proper permission levels, check the box to **Allow this application to access personal data such as Social Security Numbers and customer credit card information.  
    ![](https://hub.acctivate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-23-2024-03-02-14-8041-PM.png?width=688&height=652&name=image-png-Feb-23-2024-03-02-14-8041-PM.png)**
13. Select **Continue**
14. The synchronization will now complete
15. If you chose the option to allow access while QuickBooks is closed, close QuickBooks and run another **Synchronize with QuickBooks** in Acctivate.

 

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